1. Using this website

This website is run by Middlesbrough Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • Zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
  • Navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • Navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • Listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
  • View the website using any device e.g. Mobile phone, Tablet, Desktop computer
  • View any videos that we add to this website, ensuring they are accessible to all with audio or written alternatives available where required
  • View and understand content where we use colour. We will ensure that colours used have a sufficient colour contrast

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

Please note this website may not function correctly if you are using an older browser i.e. Internet Explorer. It is recommended for those users using Internet Explorer that they instead use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

  1. How accessible is this website?

Most of this this website is compliant with the W3C WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standard, the elements listed below are not currently accessible:

  • Alt tags are missing from some elements of the homepage
  • Background and foreground colours of certain elements of the homepage are not sufficient
  • Heading elements on the homepage are not in sequentially descending order
  1. What to do if you can’t access parts of this website

If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read or audio recording please email digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk

We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days.

  1. Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact the Digital team by emailing the issue to digital@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

  1. Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

  1. Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Middlesbrough Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed under section two of this page.

  1. How we test this website

This website is tested every 7 days. The tests are carried out by the Middlesbrough Council Digital Team using Site Improve’s accessibility reports and other online accessibility reporting tools. Required changes that are discovered as a result of these tests will be implemented within two months.

  1. What we are doing to improve accessibility

The elements listed below are currently not accessible on this website:

 

Action

 

 Target fix date

 
Alt tags are missing from some elements of the homepage

Background and foreground colours of certain elements of the homepage are not sufficient

Heading elements on the homepage are not in sequentially descending order

 June 2021

June 2021

June 2021

The below items were previously identified as not being accessible have now been fixed: 

Issue Fixed
Certain images were not accessible as they contained text August 2020
Videos did not have an alternative text version available July 2020
Certain videos did not have an audio description July 2020
Certain content could not be read aloud by screen readers August 2020
A skip to content button was not available for those using a keyboard only to access the website August 2020
All links were not clear of their purpose, which made the website difficult to use for those with a screen reader July 2020
The website was difficult to navigate for those users who enlarged content to 200% of its original size September 2020
There was only one way to access content – A sitemap was therefore added August 2020
Certain PDF films were not accessible. These have now been edited and re-uploaded September 2020
Users were unable to decide if non-essential cookies were set when visiting the site. A system is now in place to manage preferences relating to cookies on this website August 2020

This statement was prepared on 05/02/2020. It was last updated on 30/03/2021.